Op-Ed: This is What Israel Must Do

Will all Israeli leaders continue the same timid & fearful policies that too many have shown when dealing with the U.N, the Obama Administration, the Quartet, & the EU?

By Victor Sharpe

 

Israel must choke off the endless supply of weapons and missiles into Gaza by repossessing the Philadelphi Corridor — the narrow strip of land separating Egypt from the Gaza Strip. It should do this as a most basic but vital military act for its own security and survival. It can still do so while only Hamas rules in the Gaza Strip and should have done so long ago.

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‘Tear Gaza into Two’ says Naftali Bennett

Habayit Hayehudi chairman harshly criticizes gov’t, says:  a “country that cannot protect its residents is degrading itself in the eyes of the world. A country that protects its residents is respected.

“I think there is weakness of spirit a loss of fighting spirit, Jewish spirit, Zionist spirit on the part of the government.”


By Ynet

 

Amid growing signs of a ceasefire, Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett harshly criticized the government on Wednesday. “They’ve lost all common sense,” he said on Ynet’s TV studio.

Israel’s political party,Habayit Hayehudi (The Jewish Home) Chairman, Naftali Bennett

The newly-elected chairman called on the government to expand Operation Pillar of Defense and “tear the Gaza Strip into two.” Continue Reading »

Terrorist Attack Bus in Tel Aviv; Hamas Celebrates Carnage

Terrorist blows up a bus in central Tel Aviv. 

3 people are seriously wounded.

Suspect terrorist denies involvement.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

A terrorist blew blown up a Dan local bus on Shaul HaMelech street in central Tel Aviv aroun noon. Three people were seriously wounded. No one was killed.

Seventeen people have been evacuated to Icholov Hospital, most of them with lesser injuries. Others are being treated for emotional shock.

Eyewitnesses said that that the terrorist boarded the bus, placed a suspicious package there and then fled. Police said they have caught a suspect, who denies any connection with the attack.. Continue Reading »

Gaza rocket hits house in Be’er Tuviya, none hurt

Terrorist shoot at least 180 rockets Israel in the past 24 hours.

Rocket hits house in Be’er Tuviya, none hurt.

IAF strikes 100 terror targets overnight, kills 31 Gazans

Palestinians report 1 dead in IDF drone strike in Jabaliya.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Gazan rocket fire at southern Israel resumed on Wednesday morning after a relatively quiet night on the Israeli side.

Smoke rises after IAF strike in Gaza

Smoke rises after IAF strike in Gaza – Photo: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Terrorists fired 23 rockets at various cities and communities in the South, with one person mildly injured according to Magen David Adom. One rocket hit a house in Be’er Tuviya directly.

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Gen. Gantz: Carry on attacks as if there are no diplomatic talks

IDF continues to hit Gaza targets but senior officers say most painful blow yet to come.

Bridges struck for first time.

Gaza residents begin to move towards coast.

By Yoav Zitun

 

IDF officials said Wednesday that talk of an imminent ceasefire is irrelevant. Late Tuesday night, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz authorized strikes on dozens of Gaza targets and instructed commanders to “carry on as if there is no diplomatic dialogue.”

Gantz, Barak and Netanyahu – Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO

The Palestinians reported a total of 133 fatalities, half of which they said were civilians.

The IDF is stepping up its assaults on prominent Hamas governmental facilities and hit the internal security ministry, police headquarters and a bank on Tuesday night. Continue Reading »

Worried expatriate workers head to airport’s departure gates

Europeans who sought jobs outside their recession-stricken country, rediscover the charms of home.

 

Missile attacks in the south and center have upset plans by several companies and institutions that were counting on foreign experts and commercial representatives who are here on long-term contracts.

Heading for the exit from Israel at Ben Gurion Airport.

Heading for the exit from Israel at Ben Gurion Airport. Photo: Nir Keidar

Einat Gez, manager of Relocation Jobs, a company that brings in highly qualified foreign workers, estimates that out of 5,000 experts and employees of foreign companies in the country, 200 had left by the end of last week. Continue Reading »

Salafists take responsibility for firing rockets into Israeli cities

Gaza Salafists groups, opposed to Hamas, admit firing rockets into Israel.

In its statement Jaish al- Ummah, whose name means “Army of the Nation,” says Muslims are called to jihad to confront the infidels America & Israel as well as those who follow them.

 

 

Gaza-based Salafist-Jihadists with ties to al-Qaida have claimed responsibility for perpetrating several of the recent rocket attacks against Israel, according to statements published by several jihadist groups in the past days.

Army of Islam terrorists in Gaza [file photo]

Army of Islam terrorists in Gaza – Photo: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

The Gaza-based jihadi group Jaish al-Ummah published two statements on jihadist forums on Monday claiming responsibility for a series of attacks against Israel.

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With no truce reached, it’s an intensive night as IDF pounds Gaza

Diplomatic pressure to end conflict between Israel & Gaza moves forward but fails to secure ceasefire agreement

Clinton arrives in Israel, calls for ‘durable outcome’ to violence.

IDF intensifies strikes on Hamas & Associates

Yoav Zitun, AP

 

A diplomatic push to end the hostilities between Israel and Gaza terror groups gained momentum Tuesday, with Egypt‘s president predicting that airstrikes would soon end, the US secretary of state racing to the region and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the Jewish state would be a “willing partner” to a ceasefire with Hamas.

IDF artillery fire – Photo: AFP

As international diplomats worked to cement a deal, a senior Hamas official said an agreement was close even as relentless airstrikes and rocket attacks between the two sides continued. Continue Reading »

Without trial Hamas thugs executes 6 suspected Israel collaborators

Masked Hamas gunmen publicly kill 6 men suspected of working with Israel, then drag 1 through the streets while screaming ‘Spy!, Spy!

 

 

Masked gunmen publicly shot dead six suspected collaborators with Israel in a large Gaza City intersection Tuesday, witnesses said. An Associated Press reporter saw a large mob surrounding five of the bloodied corpses shortly after the killing.Hamas’ military wing claimed responsibility.

Palestinian gunmen drag suspected collaborator

Palestinian gunmen drag the body of a man suspected of working for Israel in Gaza City, Nov. 20, 2012. – Photo by Reuters

Some in the crowd stomped and spit on the bodies. Continue Reading »

U.S. Secretary of State: Our Commitment to Israel is Rock Solid

PM Netanyahu welcomed Sec. Clinton to Jerusalem & commented how Israel was fighting against terrorists who fire rockets against innocent civilians.

By Elad Benari

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Israel on Tuesday night for meetings with officials, in an attempt to achieve a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Gaza.

Clinton and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made statements to the press shortly before they met one on one.

Netanyahu welcomed Clinton to Jerusalem and noted that Israel was fighting against terrorists who fire barrages of rockets against innocent civilians.

“President Obama asked me to come to Israel with a very clear message. Continue Reading »

In1 hr, IDF hits 20 Gaza terror sites – 3 Palestinian journalists killed

Israel Air Force hits terror cells & rocket  pads.

Palestinian deaths near 120.

4 underground tunnels smuggling gas from Egypt to Gaza destroyed


By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF

 

The IDF targeted 20 terror sites in the Gaza Strip within one hour, the IDF Spokesperson tweeted on Tuesday night, on the seventh day of Operation Pillar of Defense.

Smoke from airstrike in Gaza Strip

Smoke from airstrike in Gaza Strip – Photo: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters

Terrorists in the Gaza Strip continued to fire rockets at Israel Tuesday night, amid reports of an imminent cease-fire.

Earlier Tuesday IAF planes dropped leaflets over northern Gaza warning residents to leave the area immediately.

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Iranian Foreign Ministry: Go ask the Israelis how Fajr-5 rockets reached Gaza

In response to Nasrallah’s praise of Hamas, for using Iranian-made Fajr-5 rockets, senior Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi denied Iran was sending missiles to Gaza.

 

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday refused to confirm or deny whether Iran had supplied Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad with artillery rockets.
Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast - Photo: Caren Firouz/Reuters

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast – Photo: Caren Firouz/Reuters

Asked whether Iran had supplied its Fajr-5 rockets to Hamas, Rahmin Mehmanparast replied that it was “the duty of all nations, especially Islamic countries to take action to defend the oppressed people of Palestine, at a time when the Zionist regime is committing a crime,” according to reports in Iran’s state media. Continue Reading »

Lieberman says Israel can’t invade Gaza before upcoming elections

FM Avigdor Lieberman says Israel wants ‘lasting calm’  with Hamas regime for at least 5-6 years of quiet, stability & security.

By Attila Somfalvi

 

A long period of calm will prevail in Israel in the aftermath of Operation Pillar of Defense against terrorists in Gaza, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday evening.

'We'll get to it.' Lieberman

‘We’ll get to it.’ Lieberman

Speaking at Ynet’s studio, Lieberman addressed the possibility of a ceasefire, which Hamas said may go into effect at midnight. He said Israel would be pleased if a ceasefire is reached, but would continue to act if not.

Asked about what Israel’s citizens should expect in the post-ceasefire era, Lieberman said “I estimate that we will get a lasting calm. Continue Reading »

No U.S. Veto on Ground Op, Says Ambassador Oren

Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, says Washington will fully support Israel, whatever it decides to do.

By Gil Ronen

 

Israel’s Ambassador in the United States, Michael Oren, told IDF Radio Tuesday that there is no American veto on a possible ground maneuver by the IDF in Gaza.

President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama
Reuters

“Washington’s support in any step Israel takes is full,” he said. “Obama spoke twice with the prime minister and called our situation ‘unbearable.'”

Minister of Home Front Defense Avi Dichter refused to say Tuesday whether Israel and Hamas are headed toward a ceasefire or more intensive hostilities. Continue Reading »

Soldiers from around the world enlist into IDF to help protect Israel

Lone Soldier Center,  received more than 100 inquiries from people who’ve served in the IDF, seeking to join in the fight against Gaza terrorists

“Every Jew in the world has a responsibility to protect Israel. I didn’t have to come back to Israel, but nothing stopped me from coming,” says one American soldier.

By Danny Brenner

Young people from all over the world who served in the Israeli army and have since returned to their home countries have contacted the Israel Defense Forces asking if they can return to Israel to join in the fight against Gaza terrorists.

Lone Soldier Center founder Tziki Aud (center) greets Staff Sgt.

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